Silent Hearts: Operation Breaking His Ice Heart (Complete)

Chapter 12

Ada's POV

I sat across from Sunoo at our usual table in the courtyard, my food barely touched. He was busy scrolling through his phone, occasionally glancing up to throw a teasing comment my way. But today, I wasn't in the mood for his usual antics.

"Sunoo," I began hesitantly, my voice barely above a whisper.

He looked up immediately, sensing the change in my tone. "What is it? Did Rhythm do something?"

I blinked, surprised at how quickly he pieced it together. "How do you always know?"

"Because you look like someone who's been struck by lightning," he said, setting his phone down. "What happened? Spill."

I took a deep breath, clutching my water bottle tightly. "He said something to me in the library."

Sunoo's eyebrows shot up. "He talked to you? Voluntarily? In the library? Wow, this must be serious. Don't leave me hanging-what did he say?"

I bit my lip, the memory of Rhythm's words replaying in my mind. "He said... I'm important to him. More than I probably realize."

Sunoo's eyes widened, and he leaned forward so quickly he almost knocked over his juice. "He said what?"

"I know! I don't even know what to think," I admitted, my voice cracking slightly. "He just dropped it out of nowhere and then walked off like it was nothing."

Sunoo leaned back, crossing his arms and looking far too smug for my liking. "And you're sitting here panicking instead of celebrating? Ada, this is huge!"

"Or it's nothing," I countered, shaking my head. "What if he just meant it platonically? Or worse, what if he said it out of pity because he knows how I feel?"

"Ada," Sunoo said firmly, "Rhythm isn't exactly known for saying things he doesn't mean. If he said you're important, he meant it."

I sighed, resting my forehead on the table. "You don't understand, Sunoo. He's so confusing. One moment he's cold and distant, and the next he's saying things like that. How am I supposed to figure him out?"

Sunoo reached across the table and patted my hand. "Maybe you don't have to figure him out all at once. Just take it for what it is-a sign that he cares about you."

"But what if I'm reading too much into it?"

"And what if you're not?" Sunoo shot back. "Sometimes, you just have to take a leap, Ada. What's the worst that could happen?"

I sat up, giving him a weak smile. "You make it sound so easy."

"It's not," he admitted with a grin. "But it's worth it. Besides, you've got me to cheer you on-and maybe to yell at Rhythm if he doesn't get his act together."